Yamaha has introduced a raft of design changes to the 2018 YZ450F motocross racer, including a new suspension, an electric start, a revamped high traction engine and a new frame. The bike-maker has also incorporated an inbuilt Wi-Fi hotspot that enables riders to change ignition and fuel maps using a Smartphone app.

The newly-designed YZ450F is thus the first road-going production motocrosser to be equipped with a Smartphone-based tuning app that lets rider mess up their bikes by the side of the track with a single touch.

The advanced power tuner mobile app offers a visual interface for saving, editing and sharing settings for ignition and fuel mapping changes. It is hooked up to the motorbike via an integrated Wi-Fi hotspot and lets riders monitor system diagnostics and race settings and also log and share notes.In addition, the system has a maintenance function with adjustable trip meters to check run times based on the rider’s preference.

But over and above the wireless gimmickry, the YZ450F has undergone a rather extensive overhaul.

The new compact bilateral beam frame has been remodeled to enhance torsional and vertical rigidity. Encircling the refurbished chassis is a new compact and lighter bodywork made of plastic from the bike’s tip to the tail. The radiator shrouds have a newly-designed air duct with a narrower concave shape while the height of the seat has been lowered by 8 millimeters towards the front and about 20 millimeters at the back section. The rearward-tilting single engine acquires a new crankshaft, a more robust carbon-coated diamond-like piston, a new 44-millimeter throttle assembly and new cam profiles.

The clutch and gearbox have been revamped for added durability and in spite of having larger radiators and the inclusion of an electric starter motor, the motorbike weighs 111 kilograms wet-one kilogram lighter than the 2017 model. The larger upgraded radiators have a better direct angle towards incoming air so as to ensure improved cooling in the most challenging race conditions. The geometry of the wraparound exhaust has been reworked for 2018.The layout shifts the back end of the exhaust pipe further forward, allowing the muffler to be closer to the center of the machine.

The new wholly-adjustable KYB suspension at both ends merges with a trail that is three millimeter longer at the front to improve straight-line stability. The shorter, lighter swing-arm at the back keeps it agile when things get tight. The KYB shock comes with improved damping characteristics to complement the new chassis. Its reservoir has been upgraded by 30 cc in an effort to enhance damping control when the rider goes on long motocross rides.

The bike should be a bit easier to service too. It has a single clip for opening the airbox and a filter cage that is clipped in to replace the previous one that had a bolt and required tools in order to work with.

As yet , cc ,no figures relating to maximum power and torque have been made available but if you are worried about this on a cc,111-kilogram dirt missile, you are a much better rider than I am.

The 2018 Yamaha YZ450F is slated to arrive at the showrooms from August 2017 with a suggested retail price of US$9,199. Enjoy the attached photo gallery.